Investments

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Investments And Deposits [Abstract]

Investments And Deposits [Text Block]

Note 11. Investments

The following table summarizes equity method investments at October 31, 2013 and January 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):

Entity	Ownership Percentage			Carrying Amount October 31, 2013		Carrying Amount January 31, 2013
Big River		10	%	$	36,549	$	32,438
Patriot		27	%		32,662		27,521
Total Equity Method Investments				$	69,211	$	59,959

The following table summarizes income or (loss) recognized from equity method investments for the periods presented (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended October 31,					Nine Months Ended October 31,
	2013		2012			2013		2012
Big River	$	1,576	$	(496	)	$	4,312	$	165
Patriot		1,755		2,038			5,246		1,338
Total	$	3,331	$	1,542		$	9,558	$	1,503

Undistributed earnings of Big River and Patriot totaled approximately $30.6 million and $21.2 million at October 31, 2013 and January 31, 2013, respectively. During the first nine months of fiscal years 2013 and 2012, the Company received dividends from equity method investees of approximately $0.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

Summarized financial information for each of the Company’s equity method investees is presented in the following table for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended October 31, 2013				Three Months Ended October 31, 2012
	Patriot		Big River		Patriot		Big River
Net sales and revenue	$	98,776	$	339,720	$	100,231	$	306,808
Gross profit (loss)	$	8,312	$	30,957	$	8,897	$	(14,116	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	6,610	$	16,235	$	7,678	$	(5,109	)
Net income (loss)	$	6,610	$	16,235	$	7,678	$	(5,109	)

	Nine Months Ended October 31, 2013				Nine Months Ended October 31, 2012
	Patriot		Big River		Patriot		Big River
Net sales and revenue	$	295,250	$	970,309	$	271,620	$	856,659
Gross profit	$	24,500	$	76,639	$	10,105	$	8,399
Income from continuing operations	$	19,761	$	44,415	$	5,032	$	1,677
Net income	$	19,761	$	44,415	$	5,032	$	1,677

Patriot and Big River have debt agreements that limit and restrict amounts the companies can pay in the form of dividends or advances to owners. The restricted net assets of Patriot and Big River combined at October 31, 2013 and January 31, 2013 are approximately $361.7 million and $367.6 million, respectively.